Amnesia: The Bunker – Review Roundup

Amnesia: The Bunker proves that smaller, anthology-style episodes within its universe can still bring the tension and the scares. And Frictional’s bag of tricks is far from exhausted when it comes to getting our hearts pounding and making us carefully consider how to use the limited tools available to us. It’s not an unmissable experience, but as an Amnesia fan, it definitely sated my appetite for some gut-churning horror and moody, bleak storytelling.

IGN rating: 8/10

For all the stress and dread of The Bunker, I already want to replay it—the systems-driven survival paired with randomized item and trap placement keep every venture out from the safe room unpredictable and unnerving no matter how familiar you already are with the game.

PCGamer rating: 93/100

Amnesia: The Bunker is a massive change in direction for horror masters Frictional, and it works – albeit with some sacrifices. The trench opener is a bold and brilliant new direction, with the horrors afterwards completely disarming the player, and desperately scavenging resources while keeping the power on is sufficiently terrifying. Those pesky bottlenecks work to restrict The Bunker’s creative freedom though, and the beast and Frictional’s new narrative devices just don’t hit the same. 

GamesRadar+ rating: 4/5

There are lots of ideas in Amnesia: The Bunker that are truly intriguing. I love the World War 1 setting as a backdrop for a horror story, especially the way it intersects with technology of the era. But the way gameplay elements are introduced as friction meant to induce tension simply feel overtuned. I often felt like I was fighting the game just to get around, which was frustrating in a software kind of way rather than an atmospheric enhancement.

Shacknews rating: 6/10

With reasons to return to the game after hitting the credits, Amnesia: The Bunker is the longest-lasting game in the series so far. And thanks to incredible atmosphere, opportunities for player creativity, and an inventory metagame that makes each success or failure entirely your own, Amnesia: The Bunker is proof that Frictional has still got it.

Gamespot rating: 8/10

Amnesia: The Bunker sticks a little too close to what Frictional Games has been doing for over a decade now, but with a more free-form approach to gameplay, the team is back on the right track again. Coupled with an excellent setting, Amnesia: The Bunker represents a vast improvement over its predecessor. You’ll still encounter the same stumbling blocks of old, but this horror experience comes recommended.

PushSquare rating: 7/10

Amnesia: The Bunker felt like it was somehow different from its predecessors. The puzzle-heavy horror game and a hint of resource management give the anxiety of suddenly plunging into danger. I felt like the franchise made a different approach but in the end of the day it’s worth the adventure.

Twinfinite rating: 4/5